The current situation of food safety issues and the internal roots of enterprises
In today's society, food safety issues are like a raging tide, continuously hitting the nerves of the public wave after wave. The reasons behind this are intricate. Each industry has its unique ecosystem, and each enterprise also has its so - called "hardships". However, these enterprises share a common fatal weakness, which is the neglect of social responsibility and the disregard for product quality.
Some enterprise managers are like "blind men feeling an elephant" when it comes to food safety. They lack relevant concepts and awareness, and do not place food safety in an important position in the enterprise's development. It seems that only the word "profit" is flashing in their minds, and money has become their only pursuit. At the same time, some managers also lack professional food safety knowledge, and their legal awareness is as thin as a piece of paper, with no respect for laws and regulations at all. All these factors combined have ultimately led to the frequent occurrence of serious food safety problems. Some enterprises have thus lost their good reputation, and the brand image they have built up over the years has collapsed instantly. Even worse, the enterprise leaders have been imprisoned and paid a heavy price.
Certifications such as HACCP and food safety assurance
Currently, the food industry strongly recommends HACCP and the national food safety system certification. However, many enterprises only regard these certifications as a "stepping - stone" to enter the market and a publicity gimmick, and do not truly integrate them into the daily management of the enterprises.
The HACCP plan has a rigorous process, which requires a comprehensive and detailed analysis of product hazards. This analysis should be like "peeling a cocoon", following the production process from the source to the end, not missing any step. Risk assessments should be carried out on the raw materials, auxiliary materials, processing aids and packaging materials used in each link. If enterprises can operate strictly in accordance with this requirement and use food additives reasonably in accordance with the provisions of GB 2760, then atrocious incidents like the melamine incident are very likely to be avoided. Because the occurrence of the melamine incident was largely due to the fact that enterprises did not conduct strict hazard analysis and control on raw materials.
Similarly, if an enterprise conducts a hazard analysis in accordance with HACCP and effectively analyzes and controls the three major hazards to food safety, namely biological, chemical, and physical hazards, the problem of excessive aflatoxin can also be effectively curbed. The production of aflatoxin is often related to aspects such as environmental control in the production process and raw material storage. Through the systematic analysis of HACCP, these potential risks can be identified and resolved in advance.
In addition, if an enterprise conducts a hazard analysis in accordance with the requirements of HACCP, establishes and effectively implements an operational prerequisite program, such absurd and terrifying incidents as a Band - Aid getting mixed into the product will not occur. This fully shows that as long as an enterprise truly attaches importance to and implements the food safety management system, many food safety problems can be completely avoided.
Moral issues and countermeasures in food quality incidents
In addition to the food safety problems caused by the imperfect management and systems mentioned above, there is another type purely caused by people's moral corruption. Some people are completely lost in themselves under the temptation of money and have lost their basic conscience.
Gutter oil, which should be used as industrial fuel, has been processed into edible oil by these unscrupulous merchants and flowed into the market. They know very well that gutter oil contains a large amount of harmful substances and can cause serious harm to human health, but in order to pursue huge profits, they take risks. Sudan Red, as a dye, has nothing to do with food originally, but they use it to process food additives, making consumers ingest toxic substances without knowing it. The use of industrial gelatin in food or drug processing poses a serious threat to consumers' life safety.
For this kind of pure moral issues, merely relying on moral condemnation is far from enough. It is necessary to rely on the coercive force of the law for sanctions. The law is like a hanging sword, forming a powerful deterrent to these lawbreakers and criminals, making them dare not easily cross the red line of food safety.
Controllability of food safety issues and coping strategies
In fact, although food safety issues are complicated, they are not uncontrollable. Those acts of deliberately poisoning for personal gain, using harmful substances knowing they are not allowed or using them in excessive amounts are extremely vicious illegal and criminal acts and are difficult to fully prevent. However, apart from these, most other food safety issues can be completely avoided as long as enterprises strictly implement the food safety system.
Enterprises should establish correct business concepts, prioritize social responsibility, and regard food safety as the cornerstone for the survival and development of the enterprise. At the same time, the government and relevant regulatory departments should strengthen supervision, improve laws and regulations, and increase the cost of illegal acts, so that enterprises dare not, cannot, and do not want to cross the bottom line of food safety. Only through the joint efforts of enterprises, the government, and all sectors of society can a safe and reliable food safety environment be built.